Vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) polypeptides and methods of use

Abstract

The present invention provides VEGF-D polypeptides, which among other things stimulate endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis and increases vascular permeability, as well as fragments, dimers, and methods of using the same.

1. An isolated polypeptide that has at least one activity selected from the group consisting of stimulation of endothelial cell proliferation, stimulation of vascular permeability, binding to the extracellular domain of VEGFR-2, and binding to the extracellular domain of VEGFR-3;
 wherein the polypeptide comprises a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, wherein said fragment and said polypeptide lack amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 5 that are N- and C- terminal to residues 92-205. 
 
     
     
       2. The isolated polypeptide of  claim 1  that comprises at least amino acids 101-196 of SEQ ID NO: 5. 
     
     
       3. The isolated polypeptide of  claim 2  that lacks amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 5 that are N- and C- terminal to residues 93-201.